January news....

Happy New Year!!!  We hope you all had an enjoyable festive break.  It seems a while ago since we last met and painted beautiful festive candles. 

 
January can be a difficult time now the sparkle of Christmas is a distant memory.  To help raise our spirits and feel more active, we will be focusing on wellbeing and movement in our first meeting of 2026.
 
Amanda Giles is a female personal trainer and nutritional therapist who supports people to be their happiest, healthiest selves.  She will be discussing the importance of strength training for women’s health. She will explain what happens to our muscles, bones, and metabolism as we age and why strength training is essential for our health.
 
Challenging some common myths, including the idea that gyms are intimidating places. that lifting weight means bulking up, or that cardio is key to weight loss, Amanda will equip you with knowledge on how to build strength safely and how to fuel your body to complement your weight-lifting efforts.  A practical, evidence-based talk designed to inform, reassure, and offer a fresh perspective on strength.
 
We will be upstairs, on the second floor of the Tobacco Factory which will be signposted from the theatre entrance.  Committee members will also be on hand to direct you.
 
To start the new year off well, we have just launched our new Instagram page. If you are on Instagram, please pop us a follow!
 
As a bit of advance notice, we are delighted to be visiting Made By Nest on North Street for our February meeting.  More details of follow next month.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 28^th January.

November news.....

Thank you to the lovely Carmel for sharing the great work she does at our last meeting and to Lucy to being an amazing quiz master.

 
Our November meeting will be the last of 2025 and it is jampacked!
 
We will be celebrating our 17^th birthday and hearing about all the greats things we have done over the year.  Members will be asked to vote on the WI resolutions to help determine which one will go forward to next years AGM.  The resolutions are:
 
1.     Accessible public toilet facilities to promote dignity, health, and social inclusion
This resolution is a call for accessible, clean, free public toilets which are fundamental to inclusion and wellbeing, especially for women, older people, disabled individuals, parents and carers. It invites WI branches to take meaningful action—through advocacy, partnership, and community engagement—to support local authorities and civil society in reversing the closure trend and ensuring dignity for all.

2.     Action on women’s homelessness
The NFWI echoes the calls of homelessness charities and urges all levels of government to take action to reduce women’s homelessness, reduce the number of women at risk of homelessness, and improve the quality of temporary accommodation. We call on WI members to support homelessness organisations in their communities and campaign to ensure that all women have a place they can safely call home.

3.     Every child needs a friend
We call on all WI members, the care system, and government to raise awareness of the independent visitor system for children in care in order to increase the number of volunteer Independent Visitors and the children in the care system who are befriended by them. We want every child in care to be offered the opportunity to have an adult figure in their life who chooses to spend a few hours a month with them.

4.     Love Your Vulva – Self checking is your best defence against vulval cancer
Self-checking your vulva is important in ensuring the earlier detection of vulval cancer and to enhance survival chances. We call upon WI members to work together to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking and seeking medical advice as early as possible, and, to help highlight this rare cancer to GPs to promote prompt referrals to medical specialists when needed.

5.     Nearer to Nature
There is a growing body of evidence that getting closer to nature is of great benefit to physical and mental health as well as to the environment. This is called ‘green health’. We call on WI members to work locally to improve access to local green spaces and support others to access it too. We call on health promotion services to increase public awareness of the use and benefits of ‘green health’, and health and care commissioners to support ‘green social prescribing’ in every GP practice.
 
We will be keeping you busy whilst we are discussing WI business by candle painting led by Clare (you will be able to take your candle home at the end of the evening.)
 
After leaving the corporate world, a period of serious illness, and becoming a mum, Clare decided to give herself a gift — the chance to do something she truly loved. That gift became Craft with Clare. What started as a small personal project to reconnect with creativity and joy has flourished into something magical: a growing community built around the simple, powerful act of making things by hand.
 
Through Craft with Clare, she now runs workshops and craft clubs across Bristol that bring people together to slow down, explore their creativity, and enjoy the wellbeing that comes from crafting. The belief is that creativity is for everyone — it’s not about being artistic, but about expression, connection, and taking time for yourself. Every session is an opportunity to relax, create, and leave with a sense of fulfilment.
 
We will be upstairs, on the second floor of the Tobacco Factory which will be signposted from the theatre entrance.  Committee members will also be on hand to direct you.
 
If this is not enough, for those who would like to join us, after the meeting we will go a drink at the bar to celebrate the end of our year and upcoming festivities.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 26^th November.
 

October news...

We would like to say a big thank you to local interior designer Hannah Redden for inspiring us to use colour in our homes in a confident and interesting way.
 
This month, we have a meeting of two parts.  Firstly, our lovely member Carmel, will be talking to us about the work she does for Alive.  Alive is one of the UK’s leading practitioners of meaningful activity for older people. Working within care homes and the wider community, the charity runs a variety of services and innovative projects to bring activities, support, dementia-friendly gardening opportunities and intergenerational connections to older people, those living with dementia, and the people that support them.  This includes community projects such as the South Bristol Dementia Friendly Allotment in Knowle.
 
Following this, we will pit our wits against one another at the Malago WI quiz night! There are certainly some competitive members amongst us, so get your thinking caps on!
 
We will be upstairs, on the second floor of the Tobacco Factory which will be signposted from the theatre entrance.  Committee members will also be on hand to direct you.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 29^th October.

September news

It seems that summer has left us and what better way to say fare well to the warm weather than with a visit to a beautiful cider apple orchard and tasting delicious Branch cider.

 
This month, we return to the cosy Tobacco Factory where, local interior designer Hannah Redden will be joining us for an inspiring one-hour talk all about making our homes feel more “us.” Her session, “Designing with Colour and Confidence”, will explore how to bring personality into a space, how to choose colours you’ll love for the long term, and simple ways to make a house feel both stylish and welcoming. Expect plenty of down-to-earth tips and ideas you can take away and try at home.
 
Hannah studied at the Glasgow School of Art and has called Bristol home for nearly 20 years. She runs Hannah Redden Interiors, helping families across the city create homes that are practical, personal and full of character. She also teaches at the Bristol Folk House and is passionate about supporting Bristol’s creative community.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 24^th September.

August news....

Following our lovely evening at the BS13 Flower Farm in Hartcliffe last month, this is our final outing of the Summer before we return to the Tobacco Factory.
 
We will be visiting a unique heritage apple orchard in Abbots Leigh, near Ashton Court. This is being rewilded and carefully restored by owners Chris and Jane to provide British cider apples for cider making by Ed of Branch Cider, Bristol. Chris will walk us through the orchard explaining what they are doing to encourage bats, birds, and wildlife generally while selectively replanting wood apple varieties. Chris and Ed are also involved in a project to restore and maintain one hundred orchards around the West Country. Ed will then take us through the process of making cider from the raw apple juice and show us around the Cidery. Finishing with a tasting of Branch Cider’s range and a chance to buy some to take home (NB Cash only!)
 
As there is limited parking at the Orchard we need to arrange lift sharing. If you indeed to come along, please can you email us at wearemalago@gmail.com and let us know if you need or are able to provide a lift, by Monday 25^th August.  Please arrive by 6.45pm for a 7pm start. We will aim to finish at 8.30pm
 
To get to Branch Cider, head out of Bristol on A369 up Rownham Hill, which turns into Abbots Leigh Road. At the George Pub turn left onto Manor Road and continue along this windy road - you will see the apple orchard on your right. Keep going until you see Chris & Jane’s new house (BS8 3RS) which is the only one with this postcode. Or W3w: castle.poetic.tower
Parking will be through the gates by the house.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 27^th.
 

July news....

We had a lovely meeting in June, hearing from Mark Chapman, about his highly successful COR in Southville and have recently opened the highly acclaimed RAGU in Wapping Wharf.

 
On Wednesday 30th July, we will be heading out for a visit to Heart of BS13 Flower Farm, a social enterprise and charity creating and inspiring change in Hartcliffe and Withywood. The charity plays an active role supporting the local community with food insecurity via a community freezer and kitchen; advocating for climate action; and growing celebration and sympathy flowers in line with their ethos of sustainability and soil health. 
 
They offer education initiatives and outreach work to promote their message and to increase awareness of the changes we can all make everyday to safeguard the future of our planet. 
 
Their priority is firmly rooted in the community with their long-term strategy to eventually reduce organisational reliance on grants, as well as to offer high quality opportunities for people in BS13 to develop vocational skills and find jobs. They have three enterprise streams that align with their work programmes. The Flower Farm supports vocational training and jobs in horticulture. The Climate Action Hub offers a range of climate and environmental opportunities, specifically aimed towards young people and supporting them to consider jobs and education in the green economy. The Kitchen, produces a range of high-quality meals that are sold in retail outlets across the city of Bristol to financially support the Heart of BS13 Community Freezer.  
 
We will meet with Sol Harmsworth, the Horticulture Program Manager for a tour and a talk. 
 
Please note that we will be meeting at the earlier time of 6:45pm for a 7pm start. There is limited parking, so we suggest car sharing to reduce our impact on the farm during our visit. If you haven't already arranged a lift with someone or you can offer a lift, please let us email:wearemalagowi@gmail.com and we will endeavour to put you in touch with each other.
 
The flower farm is not usually open in the evening so we will have to go to the back gate to access the flower farm. There will be a sign by the flower farm gate.
 
The address is: 
 
Heart of BS13 flower farm  - (the metal gate at end of the road)
Court Farm Rd, Bristol BS14 0DF - anyone with accessibility needs can park on site (there are about 3 spaces on site)
 
Please can you park a little further up the road, near the John Harvey arms, so the residents get to park by their houses.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 30^th.

June news...

 

May saw us have a lovely session with Louise David, Luliloves. We had the chance to chat whilst being creative in our lovely new space at the Tobacco factory
 
This month we are getting foodie. Mark Chapman, together with his wife Karen run the highly successful COR in Southville and have recently opened the highly acclaimed RAGU in Wapping Wharf
 
Mark will talk to us about his background and what led him to Bristol and such successful ventures; the trials and tribulations along the way, the ethos of the restaurants, what inspires them and how this informs their menus.
 
We have been invited to help with some craft activities in the family tent at Bristol Pride on Saturday 12th July on the Downs. The activity will run from 12 noon until 5pm. If you would like to help out please let us know at the June meeting, or e-mail wearemalagowi@gmail.com, letting us know what times you are available to help. We will need to share your name and e-mail with the Pride festival organizers so that they can organize wristbands for access. Someone else is leading the session so no need for any prep, they just need extra pairs of hands. Volunteers get free access to the event, and to an after party! There is an information session and social event for volunteers planned for Tuesday 8th July from 6pm at the Trinity Centre; if you can't make this, we'll share info with you by e-mail. If you have any questions, please let us know.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 25^th.

May news....

We hope that you enjoyed our April meeting. It was so lovely to focus on ourselves with the Alice Barclay who lead us through a very tranquil Iyengar Yoga session.

The trial of the space in the Tobacco Factory went very well. It may take a few meetings for us to get everything running smoothly, but it really is a lovely, relaxing space. Therefore, we will holding our monthly meetings there from now on. As a reminder, please enter the building through the Raleigh Road entrance (the same entrance as the theatre) and use the lift or stairs to go to the second floor. Committee members will be there already to make sure you find the room.
 
This month we will be getting crafty with Louise David, Luliloves. Louise is a screen printer, surface designer and abstract painter - passionate about colour and fascinated by mark making. Louise works intuitively with ink, squeegee, fabric and whatever else turns up, no household object is safe.
 
Louise will be helping us to create some simple decorative papers with pencils, sharpies, and watercolour pens. Then folding them using a Turkish map fold. Using repeated shapes allows us to focus on the rhythm, slow down a little and relax. The folded papers can be fixed together or glued into a cover for a book structure or unique ‘card.’ 
 
As a reminder, please pay your membership fee if you haven’t had a chance to do so. Membership for 2025-26 is £51, and you will be able to pay by cash or bank transfer (BACS). We'll have the bank details available on the night. We also welcome guests at £7.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 28^th.
 
MWI x

Thank you for those who joined us in March to make kombucha and kimchi, hopefully you've been enjoying the results.

As mentioned at the meeting, we are trialling a new venue in April, a room on the second floor of the Tobacco Factory (Raleigh Road, BS3 1TF). We'll start at 8pm as usual, please enter the building through the Raleigh Road entrance (the same entrance as the theatre) and use the lift or stairs to go to the second floor. Committee members will be there already to make sure you find the room.
 
Our guest that evening will be actress and yoga teacher Alice Barclay who will be telling us about Iyengar Yoga, the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world.  Alice went to her first Iyengar class when she was in her late twenties, and it has been a huge and important part of her life ever since. She has lived or worked and travelled to India for intensive Iyengar courses. Alice will take us through a brief session that we can all join in with so please wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in. She will make it inclusive so that everyone can join in, she'll just need to know about any pregnancy or significant health issue before we start so she can make adjustments. 
 
April also marks the start of the new membership year. Membership for 2025-26 will be £51, and you will be able to pay by cash or bank transfer (BACS). We'll have the bank details available on the night.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 30^th.

Our February meeting was a literature delight hearing from the entertaining AA Abbott about her latest novel, Run For Your Lies.

 
This month, we will be trying are hand at the art of fermented foods by making kombucha and kimchi. 
 
Kombucha is a mildly fizzy, fermented drink made from sweetened tea. As kombucha is the product of fermentation, a number of probiotic microbes are produced. At specific concentrations, these probiotic bacteria can help to balance levels of bacteria in the gut and improve digestion.
 
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish of salted, fermented vegetables. It’s been around for hundreds of years. Kimchi has gained popularity in the West more recently, partly for its flavour and versatility and partly because of its reputation for being healthy.
 
We will be providing the ingredients for both.  In order to take them home, please bring two jars  and their lids (preferably wide necked). You need to make sure they are clean.  If you can, please bring a chopping board and sharp knife (we will have a few spares).
 
As a reminder, membership subs are due in April.  The cost of membership for 2025/26 will be £51 and can be paid by cash or cheque.
 
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 26^th.

 

Our first meeting of the year was a visit to Kinisi Run Hub which gave us a great insight into a family business and a new way to buy running shoes (or just shoes to be active in!)
 
This month we return to the hall to get cozy on a dark, cold evening, and settle in for some suspense and mystery.
 
This month, we welcome AA Abbott (known as Helen to her friends) who writes psychological thrillers about women finding strength in the face of danger.  Her latest work, Run For Your Lies, launched on 4th December.
 
Her three most recent psychological thrillers are set in Bristol, and she will talk about some of the places in the city we all love. Helen will talk about her writing process, her research and s the themes that emerge in the books. Run For Your Lies, for instance, features a woman destroyed by the justice system and the courts, but ultimately finding redemption through love and kindness.  Helen will also do some short readings from her books.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 26^th!

Happy New Year!!!  It seems a look time ago since we had a lovely visit to the Bristol Beer Factory Tap Room, where we were able to learn about their production and enjoyed some very generous tastings!!!

 
We start the New Year with another outing.  It’s the time of year where we start to think about getting out more, blowing away the cobwebs and getting more active. This month we will visiting Kinisi Run Hub . Founded by a family of runners, in August 2024, with one goal: to help everyone experience their best run (or walk).
 
Kinisi is the Greek word for movement. Whether you run, jog or walk, you need to move freely and clear from distraction. Their unique approach to gait analysis involves in-depth appointments to find the right shoe for you
 
Jamie Williamson is a co-founder and store manager. He is a former British internationalist and sub 4- minute miler with the ambition and insight to create an authentic running environment accessible to everyone who moves.  Along with co-founders and former athletes, Graham Williamson and Carole Williamson, the team are committed to providing the South West a complete running service. The team are passionate about looking after your feet - wearing good, well-fitting shoes whether running or walking.
 
They will talk to us about how they set up the business, the family background, what is on offer and more about how their gait analysis works.
 
We are welcome to arrive from 7:30pm and the meeting will start at 8pm.  The shop is located at Unit 2 Imperial Arcade, East Street, BS3 4HH near to Asda.  There is plenty of on-street parking near Windmill Hill City farm.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 29^th!

November news....

 

Thank you to everyone who join us to add festive sparkle to our salt dough decorations. We all agreed that we loved glitter and sequins!
 
Our November meeting will be the last of 2024, but we are going to use it to celebrate another fabulous year of Malago WI.
 
We are delighted to be visiting the Bristol Beer Factory Tap Room to learn about this community focused brewery and taste some amazing beer.  Please arrive at the Tap Room for 8pm, we will get a ½ pint and then head into the Studio. We will hear about Bristol Beer Factory and Brewed to Give – their community programme that is investing £100k in local charities/groups this year alone.
 
We will then enjoy a mini-beer tasting experience, being walked through a few of their cask beers. 
Once finished, we are welcome to stay longer and grab another pint.
 
We are delighted with all the amazing decorations made at our last meeting. These will form part of festive creations we will be selling at BS3 Community Festive Market (Southville Centre) on Saturday 30^th November. But we still need your help!!
 
We have a number of decorations to sell but would also be selling sweet treats. If you are able to make some fudge, or other treats that will last, we would be grateful.  You can either bring them to the November meeting or the stall on the day as we can bag them up.
 
Here are some recipes to inspire you!
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/baking-and-desserts/classic-fudge/
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/vegan-fudge/
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/baking-and-desserts/gingerbread-fudge/
 
We still need volunteers to help on the stall.  We have a few shifts that still need filling.  These are 10am-11am, 2pm-3pm and 3pm-4pm. If you can help, please email wearemalagowi@gmail.com.
 
We really hope you can help in our fundraising efforts which will help us to continue to offer an exciting range of speakers and outings next year.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 27^th!

Last month, we had a delightful visit to Ruby Hue at Finzels Reach, where we learned about sourcing the best cacao to make amazing chocolate (which was absolutely delicious). 
 
This month we return to the hall, and we need your help. As part of our fund-raising efforts, we have a stall at BS3 Community Festive Market (Southville Centre) on Saturday 30^th November. We plan to sell salt dough decorations, crochet decorations and sweet treats.
 
Please join us to embellish our salt dough decorations and have a go at crocheting as well. Please bring a crochet hook if you have one. Materials will be provided and in return there will be chat, tea, and cake.
 
We are looking for volunteers to help on the stall on 30^th November. The market runs from 10am to 4pm, so even if you could help for an hour, it would be greatly appreciated. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting.
 
In addition, will be providing some recipes to take home to make sweet treats that we can sell.
 
We really hope you can help in our fundraising efforts which will help us to continue to offer an exciting range of speakers and outings next year.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 30^th for some Christmas crafting!

 Last month, we had another fascinating guided walk from Ed Hall, discovering the Cumberland Basin, with plenty time afterwards to chat over drinks.

 
We are out and about again this month, visiting Ruby Hue at Finzels Reach for some chocolate tasting. 
 
Ruby Hue is a Bristol based bean-to-bar chocolate maker specialising in ethically sourced, single origin chocolate. They believe chocolate has the ability to be as complex and diverse as other craft foods such as coffee or fine wine! 
 
Recently featured on Andi Oliver’s ‘Fabulous Feasts,’ they are taking the chocolate world by storm 

They will be taking you through a guided tasting of some of their fine chocolates and teaching you a little about what chocolate is and how it is made. 
 
We have a maximum number of 20 spaces, and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis with priority given to members. If you would like to attend, please email wearemalagowi@gmail.com by Sunday 22^nd September to secure a place.
 
Guests can also express an interest, and we will put you on a waiting list. We will let you know if a space is available on Monday 23^rd September. The costs for guests to attend is £10.
 
Details for the meeting
 
Please arrive from 6:45pm to start at 7pm
 
Address is Hawkins Lane, Finzels Reach opposite BocaBar. The nearest parking is on street parking nearby or Cabot Circus (about 10 min walk through park and over castle bridge) If you get lost and need to contact us on the day, please call Suzanne on 07866 417277 
 
Date for the diary!
 
As part of our fund-raising efforts, we will have a stall at BS3 Community Festive Market (Southville Centre) on Saturday 30^th November. We will be doing Christmas crafting at our October meeting to support this. We will be looking for volunteers to make Christmas treats to sell or help on the day. More details to follow at our October meeting.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 25^th to indulge in all things chocolate!

August news...

It was delightful to hear from Sam White last month about the role of a celebrant. Sam is offering a freebie to give away for anyone who is interested in knowing more about going down the alternative/unconventional celebration of life route instead of the standard crematorium half hour. To find out more visit https://discover.ownyourceremony.co.uk/
 
This month, we are delighted that Ed Hall is leading another of his fascinating walks. Ed volunteers for the M Shed and runs regular tours around the harbour, displaying his amazing knowledge of the buildings, boats, and their history, picked up over the course of a long career skippering tourist and ferry boats in Bristol. Our walk this time is around the Cumberland Basin explaining how Bristol turned the tidal docks into the 'Floating Harbour.’
 
Starting at the Cottage we will walk to the Underfall Yard car park to understand its important sluices and their function. Then through to Underfall Yard itself which is a historic protected site. Part of the workshops were sadly devastated by a fire in May last year. Ed will explain the workings of the hydraulic power station and the patent slip for boat repairs.
 
Next on to the Cumberland Basin walking along the south side looking at the various locks, and bridges; including BOB -Brunel's original bridge and the first ever known use of tubular iron work for construction strength. Then on to see the bonded tobacco warehouses and their new uses, ending up with one of the most spectacular views of the Suspension Bridge. We will then amble back to the Cottage via the New Cut, the Chocolate Path, and the dockside railway line.
 
Start: 6.45pm for 7pm start at the Cottage, Baltic Wharf, Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6XG
Expected duration 1 ½ hours. (NB It will be starting to get dark by the end of our walk).
 
Late arrivals – catch up with us at Underfall Yard, Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6XG
NB If the Underfall Yard through route is shut we will walk round by road (Avon Crescent) to the Nova Scotia and Cumberland Basin.
 
Contact on the day: Avril mobile 0780 395 4120
 
Our members have been sent notification of the Avon Federation Annual meeting, taking place on Wednesday 25^th September. If anyone would like to attend, please contact us at wearemalagowi@gmail.com
 
Fingers crossed the weather is kind on Wednesday 28^th August for a beautiful evening walk.